Tourism 2010 Resource Centre

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Communities Get Set for Games Time

Archive Story, Spring 2009:
It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small — when the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays come to your town the cameras and publicity will follow. Just ask folks in the town of Golden. As the Olympic Flame makes a triumphant return to British Columbia next January in the final leg of its 45,000-kilometre, 106-day journey across the country, Golden will be the first stop.

This mountain town in the Columbia River Valley is already excited about the opportunity to welcome this iconic symbol of Olympic spirit back into the Host Province. In fact, planning is well underway to make the torch relay’s pit stop in Golden as memorable as possible for residents and visitors alike.

“Most people are very excited because we’re the first community to welcome the Olympic Flame back into BC,” says Lynne Romano, manager of the provincial Visitor’s Centre in Golden and a member of the Golden Olympic Torch Relay Committee. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay begins in Victoria on October 30, 2009, and then spends five days in BC before heading north and east before returning to the province.

Although preparations are still in the early stages, ideas are starting to take shape. After signalling off the Trans Canada Highway, the Olympic Flame will be paraded into town to Golden’s spirit square, located on the banks of the rushing Kicking Horse River. Romano expects at least 2,500 people to be on hand for the festivities.

Artful ice sculptures will line the parade route as it winds into town. In addition Romano says the Olympic Torch Relay Committee is brainstorming ways to create a lasting legacy from the event. Topping the list is the idea for a permanent public art piece that will adorn the cityscape and remind residents of the town’s role in the torch relay.

“The important thing for people to know is that the party will be here,” Romano says. “I see this as a real opportunity for Golden to grab some of the spotlight and showcase our world class resorts and tourism products.”

Other communities will also be getting in on the action. Further west on the Trans Canada, Kamloops is no stranger to Games excitement. This bustling interior city played host to the Olympic Flame in the run-up to the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary and is now making plans to accommodate the more than 10,000 spectators expected to be on hand for this torch relay.

“We’re the tournament capital of BC and events like the torch relay are really inspiring for our local athletes,” says former Kamloops Mayor John Dormer, who now heads up the local Spirit Committee.

Through his volunteer work with the Spirit Committee, Dormer has been striving to keep Kamloops residents well informed about the Games and also to help local businesses and entrepreneurs learn how to benefit from opportunities associated with the Games from programs through the 2010 BC Commerce Centre, the RBC Speaker’s Bureau and 2010 Legacies Now.

In preparation for the torch relay, Dormer will be doing his part to rally civic pride when it comes to town. However he’s the first to say that the torch relay is just one of many sporting events that has put Kamloops on the athletic map.

From former world class Paralympian Kelly Smith to up-and-coming speed skaters like Jessica Hewitt, Kamloops has a long history of fostering success in sport. In the run-up to the 2010 Winter Games, the city has been the North American training base for the Austrian national ski team, Russian curlers and Chinese speed skaters. Kamloops has also held many successful tournaments and events, including the 1993 Canada Summer Games and the 2006 BC Summer Games.

“Having the Olympic Torch Relay back again this year will only build on our city’s reputation as a sporting community,” Dormer says.

For more information about the 2010 Olympic Games Torch Relay click here

For a chance to become a torch bearer, visit Olympic Sponsors Coke or RBC websites.